Philippe Jaroussky, Caldara: Tutto fa nocchiero esparto

Tutto fa nocchiero esparto, from Ifigenia in Aulide (1718), by Antonio Caldara. Philippe Jaroussky, mezzo-soprano countertenor.

Tutto fa nocchiero esparto
nell'incerto ondoso regno,
one il frale errante legno,
scorra il mare, e afferri il porto.

Ma che può, se avversa stella,
o furor di ria procella
fa, ch'ei rompa a duro scoglio,
e dall'onde ei resti assorto?
[da capo ]

The experienced sailor does his best
in the treacherous watery realm
to ensure that his frail, wayward craft
rides the waves and makes safe haven.

But, what can he do if adverse fate
or the tempest's fury
drives it to break upon a rock,
and he is thrown into the waves?
[to the beginning]

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Philippe
• Jaroussky
• countertenor
• contretenor
• Caldara
• Ifigenia
• Baroque
• opera
• voice
• castrato

[serenaluce]

@sfkcbf Actually, I discovered great Esswood on your channel in his heavenly David's aria and recommend it to all my friends too. I like all these CTs too. I think that Daniels has a very masculine voice, even more than Cencic. I consider many other CTs great even if I don't like their voices e.g. Deller. But Im for talking about REAL CTS and comparing them with each other. My favourite number 1 is Nicholas Spanos, but tastes differ. I respect e.g. Scholl. But PJ isn't a CT but A POP FALSETTIST!

[arpeggio1358]

@sfkcbf I'm delighted to recommend Esswood. It's such a fine voice. i'm very much enjoying your uploads of his music.

[arpeggio1358]

@sjuli17 Asawa is an American countertenor who sings a very fine Ptolemy in Giulio Cesare among other roles. Taylor is Canadian. I've heard both live and find their voices much to my liking.

[sjuli17]

@arpeggio1358 Yes, I know and like Cencic, Scholl and Spanos - I even have a score animation with Cencic on my channel, he was a great Ottone in Madrid in May! :) I don't like Daniels, though, and have to run a search on the two other names.

[sfkcbf]

@arpeggio1358  Your recommendation of Esswood to your friends is highly appreciated. I have about 200 Bach cantatas; however, I have hesitated to produce many videos because of the limited response by listeners unfamiliar with Esswood and also because of the thematic similarity of the cantatas, rendering fresh imagery very difficult. I have found little else than Bach recorded by Esswood. I hope you enjoy what I have uploaded.

[arpeggio1358]

@sfkcbf He certainly does deserve more. His voice hs a lovely tone quality and his technique is impeccable. So many times really fine artists don't get the acclaim they deserve. I'm going to recommend to my friends who enjoy countertenors that they check out your videos.

[sfkcbf]

@arpeggio1358 Too many people are unaware of Esswood. He was born in 1942 and perhaps a generation too early to reap the benefit of today's resurgence of interest in the Baroque, high male voice. He was, however, the countertenor of choice for almost all the alto parts of the epic, multi-year, Bach cantata recording project with original instruments and all-male solo voices; plus he recorded some Handel, etc. I am disappointed that my videos of his voice show so few viewings. Deserves more.

[arpeggio1358]

@sfkcbf Esswood is one I hadn't heard, but looked up a few of his videos. Wonderful voice, brilliant coloratura technique. Thank you for mentioning him. Having heard both live, I must say that I prefer Asawa to Daniels. I've heard Taylor live, too. Remarkable technique! I agree completely about Scholl.

[sfkcbf]

@arpeggio1358 Max has great musicality, vocal agility & range; sometimes heavy virbrato. Daniels has contirubed much to the renewal of Baroque; sometimes his voice sounds feminine. Asawa & Taylor are welcome additions, although I prefer others even more. Spanos has musicality & a softer timbre than Jaroussky. Scholl is remarkable in all aspects. The warmest, richest tone was Paul Esswood, great musical sense also. There are other new ones, too.

[arpeggio1358]

@sjuli17 My favorite countertenors are Max Cencic, David Daniels, Brian Asawa, Andreas Scholl, Nicholas Spanos, and Daniel Taylor. Have you heard them? Thank you for your polite response.